A winter hotspot

Posted: Monday, Mar 10th, 2014BY: Dana Hess, The Brookings Register

Cody Rowcliffe, front, takes friends Ty Wilkinson and Liv Halverson for a sled ride during a Sunday birthday party at the Dakota Nature Park this weekend. The Nature Center, which opened in November, has been a popular destination for parties this winter.

• Dakota Nature Park sees plenty of use this season

BROOKINGS – Winter, particularly this winter, isn’t usually the time when people think about hanging out in a city park. But the Dakota Nature Park has plenty to offer winter’s outdoor enthusiasts.

“Even in spite of the cold, there were people cross-country skiing out there,” said Peter Colson, director of Brookings’ Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.

The park offers 5.8 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails as well as ice fishing on its ponds.